Obituary of Rabbi Dr. Raymond Lee Pyant Sr. Born July 18, 1928 departed August 20, 2016. Raymond was the youngest of sixteen children born to Russell Pyant and Jeannette White in Beack Springs, South Carolina. Raymond lost his mother at an early age. He was taken care of by his dad, older siblings, and the neighbors in the community (which was normal) and as soon as he was old enough Raymond got a job. He told us his dad called him in after that first pay check and said, “Son hand over the money. Dad took it all. "

Raymond always worked and later in life he became a skilled baker: he worked at a Jewish bakery in Manhattan for more than 50 years, and retired in 1988.

Raymond was close to one brother Robert Lee, Jr., who was in the church. Robert Lee became his pastor and over time baptized him and Raymond became a Deacon. He learned the Sabbath and the commandments of God. After serving many years he left that organization and joined the House of God, where he served for over 60 years.

Raymond would say," Salvation is a journey walking with Yahweh. I'm glad I got saved because as a young man I carried my blade and would cut me a person!” (We joked with him, saying, “That was that because you were so small!”) He would laugh saying, "Thank Yah he delivered me and I put my switch blade away!"

Raymond learned God loved him; God taught him to read; He became his friend and confidant. He told him his Holy Name, Yahweh Yahshua. He knew Yah as his Father and that he was his son.
All his adult life Raymond stayed with the church (family) body. He became known a teacher of preachers. He learned and taught Hebrew, he pastored and preached the word. Raymond had several titles while serving on the path of righteousness: one assignment was to make disciples for Yahweh and teach the Hebrew name of God, Elohim (Yahweh Yahshua ).

Raymond always loved pretty women. In 1952 he met and married Cecilia May who bore him six lovely children. He leaves to mourn: Raymond Lee Jr., Richard Allen, Mary Ester, Isaac Joshua, Rachael Ann and daughter Deborah Elizabeth, who is deceased.

Raymond was left to raise his six children without Cecilia (who left them). His relationship with the people of the church supported him with caring for his six children. Although the family suffered many hardships Raymond, said he was determined to father his children. He met Florence and from that union he leaves to mourn Iris, Shane and Charles. They raised their blended family until they divorced. Florence is deceased.

Raymond later met and married Mary Elizabeth and from that union he leaves to mourn Dennis, Donna, and Cathy: later came daughter Naomi Rebecca. After years of a life together they too divorced.
Raymond travelled preaching and teaching the word of God. He was known as a little man but a mighty preacher, a preacher who could take one word and build a sermon! That was Raymond.

On one of the trips to the congregation of Zimbabwe he met and married the widow, Dollen Jazzie, and from that union he leaves to mourn: Gilead ,Charity, Charles, Ruth, Nyasha, Donald and Faith.

Raymond leaves to cherish precious memories his many, many students of the Word, grand children and great- grands and great- great- grands, too many to name. They loved the man who was known as Rabbi.
Raymond founded Temple EL Shaddai around 1986 where he and his wife Mary, were Shepherds until they moved to Lexington Kentucky. They passed the baton of leadership to his son Isaac and wife Louise.

Raymond was a honorary Dr., a Vicar Bishop, and an ordained Rabbi. After being a member of the House of God for 60 years, he left that organization in 2015, saying, 'I'm following my son Isaac,” who now pastored his dad. Together they embraced the teachings and instructions of our Hebraic roots.

The Rabbi will be greatly missed by many. He's remembered for his quite voice, his beautiful smile and his devoted life to the people of Yah. He taught and lived a life that showed his love for the Scripture and his love for his Hebraic roots. Yahweh's principles are left as a blanket for us all.

From the voice of his grand children: “We were sad to see you go, but we are glad to know where you are resting. We loved you so, but it Yahweh who loved you best. We love you Rabbi...”

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